SLO County airport to build 2 new parking lots. Here’s when and where
More parking is coming to San Luis Obispo County Regional Airport.
The SLO airport plans to build two new parking lots, adding at least 100 more spaces for travelers, after the county Board of Supervisors unanimously approved the nearly $1 million improvement project on Tuesday.
The planned Aero and Broad parking lots will be built near the airport’s existing public parking area.
One will be constructed between Broad Street and Aero Drive, while the other will be sandwiched between Broad Street, Aero Drive and the airport’s main lot, according to the staff report.
Deputy director of airports Courtney Pene estimated that each lot will contain about 50 spaces, though the sites could house up to 120 parking spots in total depending on the final design, she told The Tribune in an email.
The new parking lots are projected to cost $960,000 to plan and construct, the staff report said. The project will be paid for directly from airport enterprise funds, which come from airport user fees, Pene said.
The county’s general fund will not be touched to fund the parking lot project, she said.
“The board’s approval is a significant win for SLO County Airport (SBP). It not only addresses current parking constraints, but also lays the groundwork for future growth, financial sustainability, and sustainable infrastructure,” Pene said. “These new guest parking lots are more than just vehicular spaces — they’re strategic capacity building for the airport’s long-term vision.”
According to the staff report, the lots will help improve safety, access and convenience for travelers because existing lots frequently reach full capacity.
“The project will provide much-needed additional parking during peak periods, special events, and construction-related closures of existing lots,” the staff report said.
Pene said the additional spaces are necessary as airlines continue to up-gauge aircraft — increasing the size of planes and the number of seats per flight — bringing more guests than ever before to the airport. In 2024, the SLO County airport had a record-breaking passenger count of 746,764, The Tribune previously reported.
She said travelers continue to drive their own cars instead of using rideshare apps or alternative transportation options, which has added to parking lot congestion.
Currently, the SLO airport has four guest parking lots and 606 parking spaces, according to Pene.
When will new airport parking lots be built?
Pene estimated that the two new parking lots could be constructed and completed in summer 2026.
According to the staff report, the lots will be constructed with sustainability in mind, using permeable paver materials that let rainwater seep into the ground rather than pouring into the storm drain system.
The design aligns with the county’s sustainability goals by reducing runoff, improving water quality and allowing groundwater recharge, the report said.
The price to park in the proposed lots has not been determined as of Monday. The cost will ultimately depend on how much the new spaces are used, Pene said.
It currently costs $25 for daily parking at the SLO airport after rates were raised by $5 in July.
